Handrails

ABSTRACT

A handrail can increase safety by providing a hand-hold which can be installed permanently to many types of ground or floor surfaces. Embodiments include one or more vertical tubular section, the vertical tubular section having a tapered lower end that can be inserted into a base and neck portion, and one or more handrail sections affixed to tops of the one or more vertical tubular sections. A handrail may assist people as they walk or stand by providing a support on which to lean.

BACKGROUND

Handrails are commonly installed along outdoor steps leading up to buildings as an attempt to mitigate the risk of people falling as they traverse the steps. Such rails may be installed in public spaces, private residences, commercial properties, and other locations where it may be desirable to provide a handhold to people as they walk and down steps or otherwise traverse a path where a risk of falling is present.

Further, the risk of tripping and/or falling may be more prevalent among the elderly, young children, or the infirm and thus handrails may be desirable where such people may be more likely to walk.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 depicts a handrail system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 depicts a vertical post of a handrail system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 depicts a base section of a handrail system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 depicts a washer for a handrail system according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 depicts two different types of washers for a handrail system according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 depicts a wall anchor point for a handrail system according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 depicts a railing section attached to a wall anchor point according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 depicts an end cap for vertical posts according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 depicts multiple types of ball and socket anchor points according to the present disclosure; and

FIG. 10 depicts a ball and socket anchor point according to the present disclosure.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, reference is made to exemplary embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the concepts disclosed herein, and it is to be understood that modifications to the various disclosed embodiments may be made, and other embodiments may be utilized, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “one example,” or “an example” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” “one example,” or “an example” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable combinations and/or sub-combinations in one or more embodiments or examples.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a handrailing and anchor assembly that can be used to provide a handhold to people walking along a path, climbing up or down steps, and the like. Referring to FIG. 1, a handrail 100 is installed along stairs at a residence. In the embodiment depicted, handrail 100 includes vertical post 110 anchored at ground anchor point 115. Handrail 100 further includes handrail section 120, which is fixed to vertical post 110 at joint 130 and anchored at wall anchor point 125. In one embodiment, vertical post 110 and/or handrail section 120 comprise a round tube 200, as depicted in FIG. 2. One embodiment of tube 200 comprises an endcap 210. One embodiment of tube comprises a taper 220 near its bottom end.

In one embodiment, components of handrail 100 are manufactured from tubular metal such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, titanium, nickel, other metals, or various alloys thereof. In some embodiments, components of handrail 100 are manufactured from fiber glass, solid bar plastic, or wood. In some embodiments, components of handrail 100 are manufactured from fiberglass reinforced plastic. In some embodiments, components of handrail 100 are made using pultrusion techniques. In other embodiments, components of handrail 100 are manufactured from various combinations of the foregoing methods and/or materials.

According to one embodiment, vertical post 110 has a height of approximately 36 inches. In the present disclosure, the term “approximately” may be interpreted to mean at or within 5% of the stated value. In some embodiments, vertical post 110 is between 34 inches and 38 inches. According to various embodiments, the height of vertical post 110 may be varied according to the needs and comfort of any individual or groups of people that may utilize handrail system 100. According to some embodiments, the height of vertical post 110 may be varied according to intended installation factors, such as the rise and/or rake of the stairs at which the handrail 100 will be installed.

Referring to FIG. 3, embodiments of the present disclosure include ground anchor point 115, where vertical post 110 may be anchored to a ground surface. In embodiments, ground anchor point 115 has a base 310 and a neck 320. In one embodiment, neck 320 is approximately four inches tall. A portion of vertical post 110 may be inserted into neck 320. In one embodiment, tapered end 220 of vertical post 110 may be securely inserted into neck 320 (similar to the manner in which a Morse taper is typically used), thereby forming a friction fit between neck 320 and vertical post 110.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, mounting hardware for ground anchor point 115 may include one or more washers 400, 500, 550. Embodiments of said washers include an asymmetrical washer having a wedge shape. In some embodiments, a lag bolt protrudes downward through anchor point 115 and washers 400, 500, or 550 to secure vertical post 110 to the ground. In embodiments, other types of threaded fasteners may be utilized.

Referring to FIG. 6, embodiments of the present disclosure include a wall anchor point 125. In one embodiment, wall anchor point 125 is anchored to a wall by a lag bolt passing through a wall stud within the wall. In embodiments, wall anchor point 125 further comprises a sleeve 610 and a spacer 620, through both of which a lag bolt or other mounting hardware can pass.

Referring to FIG. 7, one embodiment of a wall anchor point comprises a ball and socket anchor point 700. In one embodiment, ball and socket anchor point 700 may be affixed to a wall anchor point 125 by pressing a spherical cap 720 over the wall anchor point 125. In this embodiment, the rail 730 may be adhered to ball and socket anchor point 700 at whatever angle is desired. In one embodiment, a fiberglass reinforced plastic adhesive may be used to adhere rail 730 to ball and socket anchor point 700.

Referring to FIG. 8, embodiments of the present disclosure include elongated post cap 800, into which vertical post 820 is inserted and to which one or more rail sections 810, 830 can be attached at angles according to the desired orientation of said handrails. Referring to FIG. 9, embodiments of the present disclosure includes post caps 900 with multiple rails 910 attached thereto. Referring to FIG. 10, handrails 1020 are attached to caps 1000, 1010 at desired angles to match the geometry of stairways, walking paths, or other locations where handrails may be installed. In some embodiments, caps 720, 800, 900, 1000, or 1010 are manufactured from nylon or similar material.

In operation, a vertical post may be installed by drilling a hole in a ground surface where a handrail is to be installed. A neck section may be secured to the ground surface by passing a lag bolt through the neck section, through the center of an asymmetrical washer, and into the hole in the ground. The lag bolt may be tightened to secure the neck in place. Wedge-shaped washers may be used to compensate for uneven ground. By rotating the washer relative to the ground, one can make the neck section to be essentially vertical.

A vertical post may be inserted into the neck until the tapered end of the vertical post forms a friction fit with the inner circumference of the neck. A cap may then be fitted over the top end of the vertical post. One or more handrail sections may be adhered to the cap. A handrail assembly can comprise multiple vertical posts anchored to the ground as explained above, with handrail sections spanning the distances between the vertical posts.

Although the present disclosure is described in terms of certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure, including embodiments that do not provide all of the benefits and features set forth herein, which are also within the scope of this disclosure. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A handrail assembly comprising: a vertical post having a top end and a bottom end, the bottom end comprising a tapered section; a base section, the base section comprising a neck opening having a diameter essentially equivalent to a diameter of the vertical post, whereby the tapered section forms a friction fit within the neck opening; a cap placed over the top end of the vertical post; and one or more rail sections adhered to the cap at a first end of the one or more rail sections.
 2. The handrail assembly of claim 1, wherein the base section is secured to a ground surface by a lag bolt.
 3. The handrail assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a second vertical post having a second cap placed over a top end thereof; wherein a selected one of the one or more rail sections is adhered to the second cap at a second end of the selected rail section.
 4. A method of installing a handrail assembly comprising: forming a hole in a ground surface; securing a base section to the ground surface by passing a bolt through the base section and into the hole; inserting a tapered section of a vertical post into a neck opening of the base section, thereby forming a friction fit therebetween; placing a cap over a top end of the vertical post; and adhering a handrail section to the cap at a first end of the handrail section.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising placing an asymmetrical washer within the base section, such that the washer is between the base section and the ground surface.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein creating the hole comprises drilling the hole.
 7. The method of claim 4, further comprising: placing a second cap over a top end of a second vertical post; adhering the handrail section to the second cap at a second end of the handrail section. 